Swelling: causes and treatments to prevent this discomfort

Also known as edema, swelling can be a warning for some conditions. Its most common cause is fluid retention, which leaves the blood vessels and accumulates between the cells. However, there are many factors that influence its appearance, requiring special attention from its first signs.

For swelling to be diagnosed correctly, hormonal and cardiological tests are essential and decisive. That’s because it can be related to numerous problems. So, if you experience this type of discomfort, but you don’t know what the causes are, learn more about it from vascular surgeon Romollo Pellegrino, from Dom Alvarenga Hospital.

What causes swelling in the body?

There are several diseases that cause us to have swelling. That is, there are many factors that are associated with this condition, including some types of medications and hormonal changes, such as thyroid disorders and circulatory problems. Thus, it can occur in the whole body or just in some parts.

abdominal swelling

For vascular surgeon Romollo Pellegrino, swelling in the belly can happen due to several factors, such as: the accumulation of fluid between the organs, in cases of liver failure or cirrhosis. “The pressure inside the vein that drains to the liver increases until it leaks into the abdominal cavity in the form of a swelling.”

In other cases, edema occurs due to the accumulation of gases in the intestine when there is twisting, obstruction or malfunction of the intestine. “In any case, early medical evaluation is essential in the diagnosis and in the indication of the best treatment for each situation”, comments the specialist.

swelling in the feet

One of the main causes of swelling in this region is the deficiency of the veins that bring blood from the feet to the heart, which accumulates in the lower limbs.

Some people also complain of swelling in the feet at the end of the day, especially those who stand or sit for long periods with little movement. On hot days, due to greater dilation of the vessels, it is common to notice a worsening of the situation, but this swelling is not always associated with these conditions.

For the vascular surgeon, “often, infectious diseases such as erysipelas, as well as problems in the passage of blood through the veins, such as venous thrombosis, can be the cause of edema, especially when it occurs in only one of the feet”. In the latter case, delay in diagnosis or treatment can lead to major complications.

swelling in the legs

In the legs, swelling can result from problems with the veins, such as saphenous insufficiency or reflux, in which blood has difficulty returning to the heart, accumulating in the legs. “Progressively, this will lead to a series of clinical manifestations, such as: swelling, darkening of the leg and even the appearance of wounds”, comments Romollo Pellegrino.

A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are also factors associated with swelling in this region, and can be avoided by changing your lifestyle, with healthier eating habits and exercising. “In older people, however, chronic swelling of the legs can also be caused by kidney or heart disease,” he adds.

swelling in the hands

Although it is a little less frequent in circulatory diseases, swelling in the hands can occur in situations of inflammatory diseases, caused by repetitive strain, as well as autoimmune diseases such as rheumatic diseases.

In addition, according to vascular surgeon Romollo Pellegrino, edema is also quite common after surgery, “when we use very strong medications for long periods of time, which inflame the veins and clog the vessels, causing blood to accumulate in the arms and hands”.

Swelling in the face and head

Allergic conditions are the biggest responsible for swelling in these regions. According to the specialist, “the use of medications, as well as certain types of food in people with greater sensitivity, can lead to a reaction in the body”. This process promotes the dilation of the vessels of the face causing in addition to swelling, redness and itching.

Some kidney problems can also be associated with facial edema, often going unnoticed and, when they are finally discovered, they are already in an advanced situation.

When wearing elastic stockings or elevating the legs are no longer effective tactics, we recommend consulting a specialist. This is because, regardless of the region affected by the swelling, only a vascular surgeon will be able to provide further clarification on the condition, as well as promote an individualization of the treatment.

how to avoid bloating

As seen, there are many factors that contribute to the appearance of swelling, however, small adjustments to both routine and menu are able to gradually eliminate this terrible discomfort. Below are some tips to avoid this problem.

Healthy eating

For specialist Romollo Pellegrino, a diet with low salt intake and avoiding weight gain is capable of reducing body swelling. “Especially those associated with chronic and degenerative diseases, such as heart, liver and kidney diseases”, he adds.

Physical activities

Regular exercise is also a recommendation. That’s because physical activities help not only with reducing fluid retention, but also improve our blood circulation. And if the swelling causes any discomfort, decrease the intensity of the activity, but don’t stop the activity.

Periodic visits to the doctor

That is, for the early diagnosis of diseases. According to the surgeon, “a careful evaluation with a vascular specialist will be able to determine the causes of the swelling and direct to the best treatment”. Some cases will only be behavioral, including the use of elastic stockings, while others will focus on surgery.

Considering that swelling in the body can have different causes, when in doubt about its origin, there is nothing better than a specialist to carry out tests and a correct diagnosis. Even if common, an edema should never be considered as something healthy, so a medical evaluation will always be very welcome.

Improve the conditions of your body, avoid processed foods, as well as the consumption of soft drinks. Bet on lemon balm, fennel and mint teas to control gases that also cause bloating and gain in quality of life!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.